Could you survive on $2 a day? The nationwide $2-a-day challenge began on our campus and exemplifies the creative teaching and thinking you’ll find in our economics program. Here you’ll mix macro- and microeconomics with electives like money, banking, and global finance. You’ll analyze and apply data, publish original research in our undergraduate journal, and become a creative, problem-solving economist.
Degree Awarded
Students majoring in Economics who complete all requirements earn the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Economics.
Areas of Study
Study micro-, macro-, industrial, environmental, health, urban and regional economics. You can take courses in the economics of social issues; government and business; money and banking; public finance; philanthropy; the history of economics; investment analysis; poverty, affluence, and equality; and more.
Career Opportunities
With a thorough understanding of the principles of economics, you could follow UMW alums who now have such positions as president of BetaTau Enterprises, analyst for the Bureau of the Census, CEO of Animators at Law, claims investigator for Geico Insurance, accountant and trader for Sempra Energy Trading Corp., economics teacher in the Peace Corps, investment broker at A.G. Edwards & Sons, and researcher with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.
Internships
UMW students have benefited from internships with SunTrust Mortgage, Edward Jones Investments, the Washington Capitals, CNN’s “Crossfire,” Booz Allen Hamilton, the Environmental Protection Agency, Prudential Securities, the First Nations Development Institute, Paine Webber, the Virginia Credit Union, and more.
Honors
To receive departmental honors in economics you’ll need at least a 3.5 GPA in the major. You’ll complete an individual study and write and defend an honors thesis during your senior year. UMW also has a chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international economics honor society.
Requirements
Major Requirements
The economics major requires 39 credits, including eight core courses and five electives.
Minor Requirements
An economics minor requires 21 credits, including four core courses and three electives.
Scholarships
Numerous scholarships and awards are available for economics majors.